1971 PORSCHE 911 S 2.2

This fully numbers-matching Porsche 911 S is a stunning top-of-the-range classic sports car, which has been meticulously restored to an astonishing standard, and to its original specification, by some of the country’s leading specialists. The fastidious process incorporated some exceptionally rare original and new-old-stock parts. Under the engine lid is the high-revving 2.2-litre air-cooled flat-six, which drives the rear wheels via a five-speed dog-leg manual transmission. It also boasts four-wheel ventilated disc brakes and fully independent suspension. The odometer displays just 69,381km (43,111 miles).

As the flagship car for the 1971 model year, the 2.2-litre ‘S’ represented the ultimate development of Porsche's original 911 engine and transmission design; retaining the short-stroke free-revving engine and 'open road' dog-leg gearbox of the early cars, while benefiting from the larger cylinder bore, stronger clutch and transmission, much-improved wiring and electrics, and the iconic Fuchs alloy wheels. The 1971 911 S coupe is a remarkably rare car in its own right, with just 1,430 built.

While the Certificate of Authenticity indicates that the car was ordered or sold through Porsche Germany, this left-hand drive 911 S coupe was registered in Belgium as evidenced by its additional original Belgian VIN tag. It was specified from the factory with rare options being Gemini Blue metallic paintwork, the desirable Recaro sport seats, and with white fog lights mounted over the front bumper. Furthermore, it was ordered without a sunroof, and is therefore arguably the true ‘purist’ driver-focused D-series 911.

Around 10 years after initial delivery, it was imported to the UK, being re-registered in 1981, but was only in use for the next three years before being placed into storage; the history file containing an old MOT Certificate showing the car had covered 63,718 km by 1983. Now holding a Historic Vehicle taxation class, the history file also has the cars’ original last tax disc, which expired on 31 May 1984. The car was then purchased by another party in the early 1990s, who aimed to have it restored, but these plans fell by the wayside. In 2016, it was discovered as a ‘barn find’, and was acquired by the current keeper.

Fast-forward to today, and the car is now in outstanding condition, having been subjected to a four-year nut-and-bolt restoration by some of the country’s most experienced specialists, guided by the dedication and fastidious attention-to-detail of its Porsche aficionado owner.

The aim of the restoration was not simply to bring the car back to an exceptional standard, but moreover to retain as much originality as possible. To that end, significant time was invested in researching and sourcing many hard-to-find original, new-old-stock, and correctly date-coded components. The vendor himself describes the project as something of an obsession, with parts purchased from around the world – the focus being on correctness and not convenience.

Reflecting the level of detail and commitment that drove the project, it is estimated that around 2,200 hours of labour were required to produce the incredible final result. As you would expect given the context so far, the whole process was fastidiously documented in line-item detail, with the total financial investment in the car’s purchase and restoration totalling £175,894.

A custom-made A3 size coffee table photo book with some beautiful photographs tells the story of the remarkable rebuild, and a USB drive contains many images of each step of the restoration, including old pictures of how the car was discovered in ‘barn find’ condition in 2016.

After being acquired by the current owner, the car was sent to Autoclassica of Knaresborough to be completely stripped to bare metal, media blasted, and treated to correct lead repairs, and fitted with replacement genuine Porsche or high quality aftermarket panels as required. A correct ‘S only’ spec aluminium number plate panel, often missed in S restorations, was installed. The car was painted in a period-correct mix of Glasurit Gemini Blue metallic, with Wurth stone guard also applied per the factory appearance. The finishing touch was the addition of a genuine ‘S only’ specification aluminium engine lid, which was painted and installed by Canford Classics. Not settling for a new replica; the vendor sourced not just an original alloy panel, but one which had period race history coming from a Porsche 911 S/T – and there are even photographs of the racing car it was formerly fitted to in the file.

Wherever possible, period-correct original or new-old-stock parts were used in this 911 S restoration: including the near-unobtainable original aluminium engine lid mentioned above, genuine new-old-stock Bosch ‘H1’ headlight lenses with raised lettering, and even original new-old-stock Bosch indicator lenses. With the exception of a new and correct windscreen, all of the other window glasses are original Sekurit items, which are free of damage and in superb order. A genuine period correct new-old-stock Hirschmann radio antenna complete with keys was also sourced from overseas. The fog lights are exact reproduction Hella 118 units sourced from an early Porsche 911 specialist in the USA, with the correct Hella markings on the glass.

Its aluminium window frames were restored by Nick Moss of Early 911 – widely regarded as the best in the business for this job in particular – and given the correct bright anodised finish. The vendor also took care to ensure that every sticker and decal was sourced and correctly placed around the car, including the ‘2.2’ rear window decal, the ‘1969 / 1970’ world champion sticker in the rear quarter glass (written in German, of course), the gold German-language engine bay labels, engine component decals, and even the indicator and windscreen washer decals, all of which are correct for a 1971 911 S. Its exterior specification was rounded off with a pair of period correct and genuine Porsche Classic side stripes in black, which look superb.

As a result of this exacting approach, this Porsche’s exterior is in exquisite condition, with a smooth, concours-standard finish and no marks, chips or other imperfections. It also rides on a set of correct date-matched (November 1970) ‘non heart’ 15x6 inch Fuchs alloy wheels, which are in impeccable order. Behind the wheels, the original ‘S’ specification brake callipers were fully restored by Classicar Automotive.

As with the car’s exterior, its cabin has been completely refurbished, and is presented in as-new condition, save for the charming light patina on the car’s original gauges. Its seat centres, door cards and the central strip of the dashboard are all trimmed in the correct basket weave black vinyl, fitted by Gibsons Car Trimmers of Harrogate, whom also reupholstered the Recaro sports seats’ bolsters in black leather. The Recaro seats and bases themselves are rare original items rather than reproductions, which are highly prized in their own right.

The seats are accompanied by the exceedingly rare extended Repa belt receivers specific to the Recaro sport seats, which are original items date-coded 1971. The receivers are in as-new condition, while the original tongued seat belts have been re-stitched, and are complemented by the rare original B-pillar tongue hangers.

The new carpeting and headlining were supplied by renowned trimmer Southbound of Hampshire, with the correct salt-and-pepper velour for the former, and with Ivory (code 500) material for the latter. Original Porsche armrests were sourced from Germany, which are in excellent condition, and the original sun visors are also in great shape. Its dashboard was remarkably undamaged and all original to the car, and is complemented by all of the original ‘S’ specification instrument gauges, which have been re-calibrated, tested, and cleaned by JDO.

While a period correct and valuable new-old-stock Momo Le Mans steering wheel is currently installed – featuring the original stacked Momo logo, a pristine original Porsche specific boss and a super rare original Porsche Momo horn button – the factory-fitted original leather 911 S wheel will also be included with the car, which has been fully re-dyed, carefully re-stitched and restored by Dawson Upholstery of Malton.

Entertainment is provided by a rare original and correct Blaupunkt Frankfurt head unit, which is date-coded to December 1970. The unit was expertly restored by the specialists at Königs Klassik-Radios near Düsseldorf in Germany, who are widely regarded as being the best in the world. All of the other buttons, switches, and electrical items work without fault, save for the rear heated windscreen, which has not been connected due to the rear screen being an original item, and there are no warning lights displayed on the dashboard.

During the car’s restoration, both the engine and gearbox were fully stripped and rebuilt by Porsche Classic specialist RSR, replacing the pistons, camshafts, exhaust valves and SSI heat exchangers. A Dansk stainless steel exhaust system has also been fitted, which replicates the look of the original, but offers increased durability.

Noted fuel injection specialist Tower Bridge in Grimsby restored the MFI system, while Lenton and Smithson refurbished the alternator, and GDC Automotive inspected and fully restored the original wiring loom.

The car was also fitted with a fresh set of correct red Koni Classic shock absorbers with Koni Classic decals fitted. New-old-stock Bosch Sport horns were even sourced and installed, at a cost of more than £1,400. All of the wheels – including the spare – are fitted with brand new Michelin XWX tyres, supplied by well-known specialist Longstone Tyres.

Both mechanically and aesthetically, this classic 911 is in superb order. In July 2020, at 69,349km (43,091 miles), it was seen by renowned Porsche specialist Canford Classics, who completed many adjustments and detail jobs utilising their marque expertise, with a bill totalling £1,972.45. Then, in October 2020, its team carried out numerous further works including a final calibration for the ride height, geometry, and braking system setups, painted and fitted the ST engine lid, refurbished the throttle bodies, and attended to the MFI throttle linkages. Canford Classics also carried out an engine-out dynamometer test run and full tuning session and performed the car’s first full service and road tests for shakedown since the rebuild, at a total cost of £9,812.47. The car is now ready to be driven and enjoyed with all post-restoration niggles addressed, and has been carefully stored in a dehumidified bubble since final works were completed.

This stunning classic sports car will be accompanied by a set of original German-print handbooks, which took the vendor months to assemble. The owner’s manual, technical booklet, and service centre directory are all original items in pristine condition, while the maintenance booklet is a correct-for-1971 reprint. An original German-language Porsche sales brochure for the 1971 911 S is with the car as well, which itself is a rare collector’s item. Also included are the original Blaupunkt and Hirschmann literature, and the books are housed in an original burgundy vinyl Porsche folder, which is again very hard to obtain.

Not to be confused with a reproduction item, the 911 comes with a complete and original toolkit, with all correct tool markings, and stored in the original basket weave tool roll. This hard-to-find set even includes a correct reproduction Pudenz fuse pouch sourced from overseas, plus an original and pristine Drager tyre pressure gauge complete with pouch. To finish the toolkit off, there is also a beautifully restored Bilstein jack, correct for a 1971 911 S.

Three keys are included, which are all correctly coded and working, comprising the original Porsche ignition key, a second spare key, and the correct red valet key. The Hirshmann antenna keys are also present. The vendor even took care to ensure that the keyrings were original, including a correct leather key pouch on a chain, sourced at great expense from the US, which is in superb condition. An original Porsche key code card, which would have come with the car when collected from the dealer, was also sourced.

The vendor is also supplying invoices for the car’s restoration and maintenance. and various other documents pertaining to the cars history, in a bespoke leather file. There are even boxes and literature for some of the new-old-stock components fitted to the car, further evidencing the vendor’s obsession with originality.

This 1971 Porsche 911 S 2.2 is a stunning numbers-matching example of the breed; fully restored to exacting standards using new-old-stock and superb original parts wherever possible, and with fastidious attention to detail in order to present the car as it would have left the factory. While the financial investment in this car was substantial, of more significance was the time and effort expended to source some incredibly rare items, which arguably makes this restoration unparalleled in its quality that would be hard to replicate. Presented in outstanding overall condition and benefitting from the care of some of the country’s most skilled specialists, this 911 S 2.2 will make an astonishing centrepiece to any collection, and is sure to delight and impress its next owner in equal measure.

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